The Sennheiser HD 800 S are top-of-the-line audiophile headphones. Their open-back design ensures a natural and spacious soundstage for your audio, while their 56mm Ring Radiator dynamic drivers deliver a satisfyingly neutral and reference-grade sound. Even though they're quite large, their fit is comfortable enough for long listening sessions. That said, you'll want to consider using a good amp and DAC to get the most out of them, which can be an added cost on top of the high price tag of these cans.
Our Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are excellent for neutral sound. They have a sound profile that reproduces natural vocals and instruments with a bit of boom, but not a lot of rumble in the lows. Although they're a bit light on the bass, this is to be expected from open-back headphones. On the upside, this design helps them create a spacious and out-of-head passive soundstage that will help immerse you in your audio. They're quite balanced in peaks and dips, so sounds don't have many narrow frequencies of exaggeration or de-emphasis. Additionally, the headphones have consistent audio delivery and aren't very sensitive to positioning, fit, or seal.
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Outstanding passive soundstage.
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Comfortable fit.
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Deliver bass and treble very consistently.
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Bulky design.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S aren't suitable for commuting. They may have a comfortable fit, but their open-back ear cups don't block any ambient noise and leak a lot of audio, which can bother passengers around you. They're not portable either and lack a carrying case to help protect them from damage when you're on the go.
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Sturdy, durable build quality.
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Comfortable fit.
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Don't block out background noise, by design.
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Bulky design.
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Leak audio, by design.
The Sennheiser HD 800S aren't meant for sports. They're heavy and bulky, so they can fall off your head with moderate movement, and require an amp, so they're a poor choice.
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Sturdy, durable build quality.
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Comfortable fit.
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Bulky design.
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Leak audio, by design.
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Not very stable with moderate movement.
The Sennheiser HD 800S aren't designed for office use. While they're very comfortable for long days at your desk, their open-back design won't block out background noise. They're also not very portable and are best used in a dedicated space since they purposefully leak audio, which can annoy your coworkers.
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Comfortable fit.
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Don't block out background noise, by design.
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Bulky design.
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Leak audio, by design.
The Sennheiser HD 800S are wired headphones, and you can't use them wirelessly.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are fair for wired gaming, but there are some caveats. First, since they're audiophile headphones, they don't have a mic, so you'll need a standalone mic if you want to game with others. Second, to get the most out of them, you'll need an amp to power them, which can be an added expense. However, if this isn't an issue for you, their open-back design ensures a wide and immersive soundstage while their fit is comfortable enough for long gaming sessions.
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Outstanding passive soundstage.
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Comfortable fit.
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Don't block out background noise, by design.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are audiophile headphones and don't have a mic. You can use them with a standalone mic if you prefer, but they're also open-backs, meaning that they don't block out background noise and leak your phone call to others around you, even at moderate volumes, so they aren't a suitable choice for this usage.
- 8.6 Neutral Sound
- 4.0 Commute/Travel
- 5.5 Sports/Fitness
- 4.8 Office
- 4.9 Wireless Gaming
- 6.9 Wired Gaming
- 1.7 Phone Calls
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following Test Bench 1.8: Sound Profile, Raw Frequency Response, Mid-range Profile: Target Compliance, Peaks/Dips. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: We've updated the Differences Between Sizes And Variants and Wired Connection sections to acknowledge that later models include a different cable than our unit.
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.8, which updates our target curve and Sound tests. You can read more about this in our changelog.
- Updated Jul 15, 2024: When we updated this review to Test Bench 1.7, we accidentally changed the Test Settings connection tested to USB. We have now corrected this to Wired.
- Updated Jun 28, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following Test Bench 1.7: Noise Isolation - Full Range, Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios, and ANC Wind Handling. There have also been text changes made throughout the review to match these results.
- Updated Jun 26, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.7, which updates our Noise Isolation test. We've also expanded the scope of this test to include Common Scenarios in addition to Voice Handling and Wind Handling.
- Updated Jan 26, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
- Updated Aug 31, 2023: We incorrectly reported that these headphones come with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. As a result, we have updated In The Box with the correct results.
- Updated Jun 12, 2023: We've updated the text of this review to ensure its accuracy and clarity. The results have remained the same.
- Updated Jan 11, 2023: We've updated this review's text to remove data values that are no longer representative of our current testing.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Mar 01, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated May 04, 2016: Review published.
- Updated May 02, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 01, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
While there's one variant of the Sennheiser HD 800 S, 'Black', the manufacturer quietly made at least one change since our unit was purchased. Our unit includes a cable terminating in a balanced four-pin XLR cable, but models produced roughly from 2021 onwards include a balanced 4.4 jack instead. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The Sennheiser HD800S have outstanding, reference-quality audio reproduction that puts them in a league of their own. Their evenly balanced sound caters well to most tracks and music genres, especially compared to their retuned sibling, the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX. While their dynamic drivers may not reproduce as much low-bass as planar magnetics like the HiFiMan Arya, they can create an outstanding passive soundstage for an immersive, natural, and out-of-head audio experience. However, they're quite pricey, which can put them out of reach for most people, and you'll want to consider using an amp to help drive them to their full potential.
See our recommendations for the best studio headphones, the best open-back headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best DJ headphones.
Both the HiFiMan Arya and the Sennheiser HD 800 S are audiophile headphones for close listening, but you may like one over the other, depending on your preferences. The HiFiMan have a planar magnetic transducers and can deliver consistent bass and treble. However, the Sennheiser are also well-suited for mixing due their balanced, clean sound design and very consistent delivery between wearers. They feel better built and come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable.
Both the Sennheiser HD 800 S and Focal Clear Mg are premium open-backs geared at audiophiles. While both headphones are very comfortable, the Sennheiser have a larger, more spacious soundstage. However, the Focal have a better build quality and a warmer treble, if that's your preference.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better headphones for mixing audio than the Sennheiser HD 820. The HD 800 S have a better-balanced sound that adheres closer to our target with much more consistent bass and treble between wears. They also have a larger soundstage thanks to their open-back design. They're a bit more breathable, too, so your ears won't get as warm during longer listening sessions. On the other hand, the HD 820 have a slightly more polished build quality, although they are very close in design. Also, since they have closed-back ear cups, they leak a little less, prevent more ambient noise from seeping into your audio, and have more bass.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO are both very well-built, better-performing audiophile headphones than the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO. The Sennheiser sound less sharp while still creating an immersive soundstage with better consistency between wears and wearers. The Sennheiser are also more comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions, although some may find their ear cups a bit large. However, the Beyerdynamic are still solid for analytical listening, albeit less consistent between wears.
The HiFiMan Ananda are very close in performance to the Sennheiser HD 800 S. The Sennheiser have a better, more durable build quality, although not by much. They also look more premium and deliver a slightly more open-sounding audio reproduction. On the other hand, the HiFiMan have a somewhat subdued top-end, which you might prefer. They also offer a slightly better value than the Sennheiser, but HiFiMan headphones can be prone to durability issues.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 660 S if you want a bigger and wider soundstage. The HD 800 S are more comfortable and noticeably better built. There's also a big difference in soundstage, as the HD 800 S create a wider, more out-of-head audio experience. However, the HD 660 S are much less expensive and may offer better overall value for money.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S and the HiFiMan Edition XS are both excellent audiophile headphones with slight differences. The Sennheiser headphones have dynamic transducers and are more comfortable and well-built. Their passive soundstage also creates a more out-of-head audio experience. In comparison, the HiFiMan are planar magnetic headphones. Thanks to their design, they can reproduce bass more accurately, which is great for fans of thumpy EDM kicks. They also deliver audio even more consistently than the Sennheiser.
Whether the Sennheiser HD 800 S are better open-backs than the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version depends on your sound profile preferences and your budget. While both headphones are very comfortable and provide an open sound, the Sennheiser are better-built and lighter in weight, thanks to their dynamic drivers. That said, they're harder to drive than the HiFiMan since they have an impedance of 300 ohms with a sensitivity of 102 dB. Conversely, you may still prefer the HiFiMan if you want your open-backs with a bit more bass, and they're more consistent between different wearers than the Sennheiser.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better audiophile headphones than the Sennheiser HD 650. The HD 800 S are more comfortable for long listening sessions, have better build quality, with a more immersive soundstage. However, they're a hefty investment, and you'll want to consider adding a powerful amplifier to drive them.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better audiophile headphones than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, although they require quite an investment. With the right setup, the Sennheiser have a remarkably well-balanced sound signature with a spacious, natural soundstage adhering to our target curve well. To get the most out of them, you'll want to consider adding an amp. The Beyerdynamic don't sound quite as immersive, but they can produce more bass and come at a more wallet-friendly price.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better open-back headphones than the Philips Fidelio X2HR. The Sennheiser feel more durable, are more stable on the head, and are much more consistent among various users or reseats. On the other hand, the Sennheiser need a headphone amp to drive them, and they're considerably more expensive than the Philips, which still reproduce an open, neutral sound.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better for neutral sound than the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. The headphones have similar, well-balanced sound profiles, but the Sennheiser have a better soundstage performance. They're also much more breathable and comfortable and have a better build quality. However, the HiFiMan come with a 1/8" TRS audio cable, while the Sennheiser come with a 1/4" cable, meaning you need an adapter for devices like smartphones and consoles.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are slightly better headphones than the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX. While both headphones are very comfortable and well-built, the HD 800 S can reproduce audio more consistently, and they come with more accessories. However, they're alike enough that if you find one notably cheaper than the other, both are worth consideration for the same kinds of usages, like mixing audio or close listening.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better audiophile headphones than the Focal Elear but are way more expensive. The Sennheiser have a bigger and spacious soundstage. On the other hand, the very large cups of the Sennheiser might be too big for some and could create gaps. Also, the Focal are slightly better-built headphones and feel sturdier.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both audiophile headphones with open-backs. The Sennheiser are more comfortable and lighter than the Audeze. They also have a more consistent delivery of sound and a larger soundstage. The Audeze, on the other hand, have a slightly better build quality and a warmer treble response if that's your preference.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better headphones for consistent sound than the Philips SHP9600. Both pairs of open-back headphones with balanced sound profiles, but the Sennheiser deliver more consistent sound between wearers. They're also better built, and they have a more stable fit. Some listeners may prefer the Philips' more comfortable fit and less expensive price.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better audiophile headphones than the Meze Empyrean for most people. While both headphones are comfortable, the Sennheiser have a more consistent sound delivery and a significantly more immersive passive soundstage. However, the Meze are better built and have a hard carrying case.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better headphones for neutral sound than the HiFiMan ANANDA-BT Wireless. The Sennheisers' soundstage is also more open and spacious, creating a more immersive listening experience. That said, the HiFiMan are more versatile headphones. Unlike the Sennheiser, you can use them wirelessly. The HiFiMan also come with a detachable boom mic and a hard carrying case.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better audiophile headphones for neutral sound than the Philips Fidelio X3. The Sennheiser are better-built, and they have a more stable fit. They have bigger and more immersive passive soundstage performance. However, they're a lot more expensive.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are better headphones than the Stax SR-L300 for most people. The Sennheiser are more comfortable for longer listening sessions, and their build is durable, so they don't feel as flimsy as the Stax. Their 1/4" TRS connection is more versatile too. You'll need an amp and energizer to drive the Stax correctly, whereas the Sennheiser only needs an amp. Still, the Stax are significantly cheaper than the Sennheiser.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S and the Beats Solo Pro Wireless are designed for different purposes. The Sennheiser are wired audiophile headphones with a well-balanced, neutral sound profile. Their passive soundstage is perceived as wide and spacious, thanks partly to their open-back design. They're also better built and more comfortable. On the other hand, the Beats are wireless headphones with a closed-back design. They're more versatile since they leak much less audio, have onboard controls and an integrated mic, and have an ANC feature that does a great job of isolating you from ambient sound.
Test Results
The Sennheiser HD 800S are premium audiophile headphones, which shows in their design. The frame is made from a mix of high-grade plastic and metal, which create striking visual contrast. Since they have an open-back enclosure, the spacious ear cups have metal grilles to protect the drivers from damage. They're bulkier than other audiophile headphones like the HiFiMan Sundara 2018 or the Sennheiser HD 700, though.
These over-ears have a comfortable fit, thanks to their large, spacious ear cups and plush suede-like padding. They don't have a tight fit, but they're a bit heavy, although you can still wear them for long periods without feeling significant fatigue. If you're looking for even more comfortable open-back headphones, consider the Philips SHP9600.
These headphones have spacious open-back ear cups that don't obstruct as much airflow as typical over-ears. They'll keep your ears relatively cool even during long listening sessions, although they won't be as breathable as some on-ears or in-ear models.
These headphones aren't designed to be portable. They're big audiophile headphones that can't fold into a more compact format if you want to move them around. They also take up a lot of space, even if you leave them on your desk.
These cans don't come with a case. You can use the box they're packaged in as a case, but it's more than double the headphones' size. Remember that the pouch included in the box is for the cables and not the headphones. Look at the Focal Clear Mg or the semi-open Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation for open-back headphones that come with a case.
These headphones have excellent build quality. They're made of a mix of high-grade plastic blend and have a reinforced sturdy metal frame. The large ear cups are decently dense, and the padding materials feel high-end. However, the hinges/yokes are not the most durable, as the pin that keeps the joints of the ear cups in place can sometimes come loose. However, they feel more premium overall than competitors like the HiFiMan Arya.
These headphones have a fairly stable fit. If you like to bop your head to your music while at your desk, they can move around and change in positioning. However, if you're headbanging, the headphones will easily fall off.
- Sennheiser HD 800 S headphones
- 1/4" TRS cable
- Balanced XLR cable
- Carrying pouch
- USB memory drive
The Sennheiser HD 800 S have a very neutral and accurate sound profile well-suited for most audio content. Vocals and instruments have warmth and are present in mixes. Even though they lack a thumpy low-bass, this is to be expected from open-back headphones. If you're looking for open-backs with a more extended bass, try the HiFiMan Arya instead, which have planar magnetic drivers that can better reproduce bass.
These headphones have an impedance of 300 ohms with a sensitivity of 102dB. If you want to get the best performance from them or crank them to a high volume, you'll want to consider using an amp to help power the headphones. While an amp won't significantly change the headphones' sound, it can help bring out nuance and detail in your audio.
The frequency response consistency of these cans is excellent. While there are slight deviations in low-bass, which can happen if you wear glasses or have thick hair, the rest of the range is very consistent. The treble delivery is also highly consistent across reseats. Once you achieve a good fit, you'll have consistent audio delivery.
These headphones have great bass target compliance. Although they lack low to mid-bass due to their open-back design, so mixes are light on thump and punch, they have a touch of extra high bass to help balance the response. Overall, they reproduce audio with warmth but not as much low-end rumble in tracks like Them Changes by Thundercat.
The mid-range target compliance of these headphones is amazing. The response throughout the range is very even and flat. This results in a balanced and natural reproduction of vocals and lead instruments. However, a dip in the high-mid slightly weakens these sounds. In songs like Arabesques No. 1 by Claude Debussy, the piano keys sound smooth and present towards the beginning of the piece. Yet, as the music ascends into a higher register, the notes become a touch more mellow and gentle.
Their treble target compliance is excellent. The low-treble is quite flat but slightly underemphasized. As a result, vocals and instruments are a bit veiled, although because of the result of the sound profile, they're not overwhelmed by other frequencies. However, sibilants like the harmonics from cymbals still sound bright, given their slight exaggeration in the mid-treble.
The peaks and dips performance is good. There are only a few minor peaks and dips, suggesting that the headphones can control their sound profile quite well. A handful of peaks in the low and mid-treble makes sibilants like cymbals sound piercing, while the dips alternatingly dulls these fast transient sounds. In the high-treble at the thresholds of human hearing, a sharp peak adds an exaggerated hiss and brilliance, followed by a deep and narrow dip, which closes the sound a bit, though most audio doesn't occupy these ranges.
At such a premium price bracket, Sennheiser's expected to ensure high-quality control and ergonomics in their products, especially as imaging is crucial for audiophile headphones. Although imaging varies across units, our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched in group delay and frequency, amplitude, and phase response. This ensures that sound objects like voices and instruments are accurately localized in the stereo field.
These headphones have a fantastic passive soundstage. Thanks to their open-back design and spacious ear cups, sound can interact with your outer ear better than many similarly designed headphones, like the Philips Fidelio X3. As a result, the soundstage feels wide, spacious, and natural. Your audio also feels like it's coming from speakers placed in the room around you rather than from inside your head, which helps create a more immersive sound.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is excellent. All frequencies fall within good limits, ensuring clear and pure audio reproduction at moderate or high volumes.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
These cans are open-back headphones and aren't designed to block background noise, so their full-range noise isolation is awful. They let in ambient sound to help create a more immersive soundstage. If you're looking for audiophile headphones that can help reduce ambient sound, try closed-backs like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO instead. All they do is slightly dampen highs, but you can hear everything basically the same with them on as when you take them off.
Besides the various other impracticalities like leakage issues that would arise from taking these open-backs out for a walk, on a flight, or to the office, their isolation simply performs badly in common scenarios. What little isolation they offer very slightly cuts high frequencies, leaving everything else untouched. As a result, you'll hear all the car traffic and your neighboring coworkers and plane passengers talking as if you weren't wearing anything over your ears.
These headphones are designed to leak audio, let you interact with your environment, and create a more immersive sound. Even at moderate volumes, leakage is audible. This isn't an issue if you're in a designated listening space, but if you're in a room with others, they'll hear your audio.
They have a simple 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS audio cable and a balanced four-pin XLR cable. Models produced roughly from 2021 onwards include a balanced cable with a 4.4mm jack instead of the four-pin XLR.
These headphones can connect to PCs via analog. However, you'll need an adapter to fit your AUX port, and the headphones only passthrough audio since they don't have a mic.
You can plug these headphones into your PlayStation controller's AUX port, provided you're using an adapter. However, you'll only receive audio, and you may even want to consider adding on an amp to help power the headphones.
You can use their analog cable to connect these headphones to your Xbox console's controller for audio support. However, an amp will help power the headphones and give you a better overall experience.